Tamarix: A Case Study of Ecological Change in the American West

ISBN-13: 9780199898206 / Angielski / Twarda / 2013 / 512 str.

Anna Sher

Opis

The invasive species Tamarix first attracted the public eye in the 1990's when it was suspected of contributing to widespread drought and wildfires in the Western United States. Once purported to consume as much water as entire cities, very few plant species have received as much scientific, public, and political discussion and debate as Tamarix. Written by 44 of the field's most prominent scholars and scientists, this volume compiles 25 essays on this fascinating species--its biology, ecology, politics, management, and the ethical issues involved with designating a particular species as "good" or "bad." The book analyzes the controversy surrounding the Tamarisk's role in our ecosystems and what should be done about it.

O autorze

Dr. Anna Sher has been investigating the ecology of tamarisk trees for nearly 20 years and on two continents. She is currently a biology professor at the University of Denver, where her lab is currently focused on restoration of riparian ecosystems and plant communities that arise after the removal of Tamarix. She is frequently asked to speak on the subject of Tamarix and has been the president of the board of the Tamarisk Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to riparian ecosystem health. Dr. Martin Quigley is a plant ecologist and licensed landscape architect. He is currently the Kurtz Professor of Botany at the University of Denver, where he teaches Conservation Biology, Ethnobotany, Ecology, and Restoration Ecology. He strives to make explicit the connection between science and design in maintenance and restoration of fragmented landscapes.